Flu Shot

I've been getting mine since being diagnosed, but this year I'm no so sure. Anyone else bother since being diagnoses?

I got one this year for the first time in as long as I remember...but I was also starting Chemo, so thought it was a good idea to be a little more proactive.

Normally, I don't... but I don't think there is any harm in it.

Jordan

Directly from the CDC:
People with cancer or a history of cancer, and people who live with or care for cancer patients and survivors, should get a seasonal flu shot. People with cancer should NOT get the nasal spray vaccine. The flu shot is made up of inactivated (killed) viruses, and the nasal spray vaccine is made up of live viruses. The flu shot is safer for those with a weakened immune system.


Directly from ASCO:
Widespread influenza activity continues to be reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with a recent increase in flu-related hospitalizations. Patients with cancer are at increased risk from flu complications and should receive the flu shot, but not the flu nasal spray vaccine, which contains live flu viruses. Cancer patients who are actively being treated for cancer can safely receive flu shots.

Hello FoxRun,

Ever since being diagnosed, my oncologist has insisted I get a flu shot every year --- even last fall, during chemo treatments.

My oncologist is very proactive and tells me (nicely, that is !) that getting a flu shot each year is "not negotiable" ... so, I rolled up my sleeve a couple of weeks ago ...

Now he is also talking about having me get the shot to protect me against getting the shingles virus ... yeah, I've seen the commercials on television ... I don't want the shingles virus ... my oncologist said we would wait a month after the flu shot ...

Sometime I think of all the mixtures of medications I am on ... ADT hormone shots, PROLIA for bone strength, past Taxotere chemo treatments, Neulasta shots to boost my immune system during chemo, flu shots, ZYTIGA for prostate cancer, and now I guess we're going to add a shingles shot to the chemical mixture ... it's like a chemical cocktail, wouldn't you say ?

So, yes ... a flu shot ... didn't have a choice ...

Next step ... I guess the shingles shot ? Whatever you say, doc ...

Take care,
Cyclone

Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 10/21/2015 5:48:29 PM (GMT-6)

InTheShop said...
Get the shingles shot. My dad got shingles, you don't want that pain....

I was talking with the owner of the Dry Cleaners, noticed he was moving funny. Asked him why.

He has had an absolutely awful case of shingles going on for over two years. Said was miserable.

I had a very mildly annoying case. Barely knew it for a couple of weeks.

My understanding is that you wait six months after an active case to get the vaccine.

I will be getting the vaccine as soon as I can.

Some years back Dr. Myers posted one of his informative videos on vaccines.....GET vaccinated for flu, shingles ,and pneumonia !! Given his background at the NIH I would get all three.

I get the flu shot every year, got the shingles shot as well as the pneumonia shot. I have had friends die from pneumonia. don't want to go like that either. The flu can morph into pneumonia with very little difficulty.

I'm not religious about it. Did it this year. Had a very mild reaction for 1/2 day. Will likely keep getting them now, and will add the shingles shot too.

dh had chemo a few years back. his oncologist said no shingles shot since it is a live vaccine. dh does get a flu shot though.